International

Seoul, Washington Boosting S. Korean Missile Capabilities

Write : 2017-08-08 08:23:19Update : 2017-08-08 09:48:17

Anchor: The U.S. Department of Defense says it is reviewing a revision to bilateral missile guidelines with Seoul to increase the payload limit on South Korean missiles. The two allies are likely to amend their missile guidelines to double the maximum weight of warheads against North Korean threats.
Our Kim Bum-soo has more.

Report: Under the current missile guidelines, South Korea can develop missiles up to a range of 800 kilometers with a maximum payload of 500 kilograms.

South Korea is seeking to enhance the capacity of its ballistic missiles by increasing the 500 kilogram limit to one ton to counter the advancements of North Korean weapons.

During telephone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, President Moon Jae-in stressed the need to significantly enhance deterrence strategies to counter North Korea’s missile threats, calling for increasing the payload of South Korean missiles.

The Pentagon immediately showed a positive response to the call. Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said on Monday that Washington is actively reviewing the matter with Seoul.

He said the Pentagon would be favorably inclined to do anything which enhances the defensive capabilities of South Korea.

Trump, who is on his vacation, discussed the North Korean issues with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly over the phone for an hour after his talks with President Moon.
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.